BUSINA: A Campaign for Truth, Accountability and Reform
BUSINA refers first of all to “Busina para sa Katotohanan” – a coordinated noise barrage and mobilization to express outrage at current political events and to call for Truth, Accountability and Reform.
The use of busina (vehicle horn) as a political symbol and instrument for communal action calls attention to wrongdoing, to express disgust, and calls for citizens to act decisively to elicit accountability from government.
BUSINA Network: A MULTIPLE PARTNERSHIP
BUSINA is also an effort to convene individuals and organizations through coordinated communal action using a commonframework.
A key part of the multiple partnership is the Watch, Pray and Act Movement (WPA) which includes the Catholic Education Association of the Philippines (CEAP), Manila Archdiocesan Parochial Schools Association (MAPSA), Inter-diocesan Catechetical Ministry (ICM), Association of Major Religious Superiors of the Philippines (AMRSP), Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), and Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan (SLB).
Another important node is the Caucus of Development NGO Networks (CODE-NGO) which includes the Philippine Partnership for the Development of Human Resources in Rural Areas (PhilDHRRA), Partnership of Philippine Support Service Agencies (PhilSSA), National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO), Association of Foundations (AF), National Council of Social Development (NCSD), Coalition for Bicol Development (CBD), Cordillera Network of Development NGOs and POs (CORDNET), Western Visayas Network of Social Development NGOs (WEVNET), Central Visayas Network of NGOs and POs (CENVISNET), Eastern Visayas Network of NGOs and POs (EVNET), and the Mindanao Coalition of Development NGO Networks (MINCODE). Other groups which have aligned with Busina are the Pambansang Kilusan ng mga Samahang Magsasaka (PAKISAMA), Philippine CO Society (PhilCOS), the Coalition for a Citizens’ Constitution (C4CC), and Aksiyon para sa Kapayapaan at Katarungan (AKKAPKA). There are also efforts to bring in the various Ateneo-Jesuit communities in Manila, Naga, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, and Zamboanga. Also at the core of the network are Pugadlawin, Lente, Pandayan and Team RP . There is also coordination and continuing dialogue with like-minded individuals in One Voice, Black and White, Akbayan and Laban ng Masa.
BUSINA AS A FRAMEWORK FOR CONCRETE COMMUNAL ACTION
Calling for Truth, Accountability and Reform
What binds individuals and groups in the BUSINA network is the clamor for Truth, Accountability and Reform (TAR) specifically in the shady deals surrounding the ZTE-NBN deal and more generally, in issues plaguing structures of governance in the country.
This is summarized in the name and slogan for which BUSINA stands for:
Buong Bansa Sinisigaw: Tama Na! Itama Na!
Uphold the TRUTH
1) Defend the truth amidst malicious attempts to keep it shrouded in mystery. (e.g., discrediting Lozada as a Senate witness)
2) Provide support to whistleblowers by offering sanctuaries and financial support.
3) Call on Secretary Neri and others to divulge their knowledge on corruption and abuse of power in government.
4) Call on the Supreme Court to reverse its ruling on Executive Privilege so that it will not be used to veil the truth.
5) Support the Senate investigation of the ZTE-NBN case and other anomalies to reveal the truth on matters of public interest and also to strengthen the mechanism of checks and balances in government which seek to prevent the abuse of power.
6) Establish truth centers for awareness-building, reflection and formation toward sociopolitical engagement
Exact ACCOUNTABILITY
1) Monitor closely proceedings underway at the Office of the Ombudsman
2) Push for the creation of an Independent counsel to investigate and prosecute wrong-doers
3) Facilitate coordinated action among concerned citizens, lawyers groups and conscienticized civil servants to build cases leading to the investigation and indictment and conviction of those culpable of betraying public trust.
Work for Meaningful and Long-term REFORMS
1) Reform development project approval systems with emphasis on loan procurement, Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) schemes to ensure transparency, accountability and promote freedom of information.
2) Depoliticize, further professionalize, and strengthen the capacity of the Civil Service
3) Restore trust in the electoral process by reforming the Commission on Elections; modernizing elections; addressing warlordism and dynasties; promote genuine party-building
4) Push for more inclusive and sustainable development which provides a greater number of people, especially the poor, a real stake in democracy by pushing for strict implementation of Agrarian Reform (AR) and other programs.
5) Build faith-discerning communities with a political culture and social conscience driven to act for the common good.
6) Strictly adhere to constitutional reform processes.
BUSINA wishes to provide a framework within which there can be continuing communal discernment and action among individuals and groups who have differences of opinion but agree that there is a need to struggle for truth, accountability and reform in a manner that defends and deepens democratic institutions.
Click here for a copy of the BUSINA Primer
